Continuously inquire in your workplace and about your work. Seek insights, feedback, and stories. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, it’s a part of the job. What other advice has the team put together for you?
Ask questions:
Always ask questions. Both when it comes to your workplace – how things are done, tips you might be able to pick up, any feedback anyone can give you – and your work – think critically, what of the information you have could be a story, what is missing, what else can you ask your source. Never feel silly to clarify things with an interviewee or ask questions at work. Even though newsrooms are a busy, busy place people will still appreciate you trying to find out more. Remember, asking questions is a core aspect of your job as a journalist!
Be on time:
Timekeeping is integral. It sounds cliché, but news does not wait. So, showing up on time for your shift is important. When it comes to going out for jobs or assignments, your editor will be far more likely to consider sending you if they know they can rely on you being in the newsroom on time. When it comes to meeting sources, some people may be on tight schedules, so might not have time to wait if you are late. One thing to always do – does it really need saying? – is to call ahead and let people know you’ll be late as soon as possible.
Connect and be part of the team:
Spend time with your colleagues! Introduce yourself from day one, offer to be part of a coffee/ tea round. These people are your support network while working, but also learn from them about their job. It is good to do things at work that will make you feel that you’re part of a team. You don’t need to spend every minute at work or outside work with your colleagues, but it is good to build connections.
Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines:
They are intense, and they can be scary. But they will be a part of your day every day. The reason they exist is not to torment you but because – especially when it comes to print – there will be deadlines for getting the paper to press. Just always keep deadlines in mind and check in with your editors about expectations and what stories you should prioritise if you are unsure. It does get easier over time, too. The more you write, the quicker you will become.
Errors happen, but need to be corrected:
Yes, even the most seasoned journalists will make mistakes, big and small. You WILL make mistakes, that’s part of the process. It’s not an excuse not to check your facts, however. A good rule to live by is that you shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Whether you misspell someone’s name, made an error in their job title or made an error in the figures you used or misattributed a quote, you will need to inform your editor right away in an email (you can tell them orally first but it also needs to be in writing), highlight the part of your story that is incorrect and suggest a correction below. If you have a medical reason explaining errors (ADHD, Dyslexia, hearing impairments, for instance) make sure you tell your editor so you both find a way to support you. It may be a list of common issues you regularly face that need to be checked, links to excerpts of your recordings, or you are filing your stories extra early so they can spend more time editing you.
Find out ‘rules’ and norms:
Different newsrooms will have different routines and norms to stick to. We have shared some things you can expect, but really these can differ from workplace to workplace. Even small things like when and how to take a lunch break (1pm? 12.30pm? Tell your editor? Disappear in silence?). Make yourself familiar with processes at the start of your internship.
Get people’s names straight and right:
Whether it’s your sources’ names (always double-check and spell it out to them if needed), or the names of your colleagues, names matter. If you’re not a “names person” write down a map of the office seating plan or draw a small organisational chart and write everybody’s name down. For your sources, write their name in capital letters and show it to them for confirmation – and if you’re using social media, don’t trust that their handle or Facebook name is the correct one.
Have some awareness of ethical codes and legal requirements:
You do not have to know each clause of the Independent Standard Press Organisation (IPSO) code, which most publisher’s are regulated, off by heart before you start in a newsroom, but you should have some awareness of what it covers. This includes
Initiate conversations:
So much of interning is about networking and making contacts for your future career. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to colleagues in person or by email to arrange to meet up for a tea or coffee/Zoom call. Most journalists love talking about their work, so will find the invitation flattering!
Join the community within your patch:
Insert yourself into the community you’ll be covering, get to know them properly. For instance, introduce yourself to shops locally in your patch and email leaders in your field more broadly.
Keep a diary of everything you do on your internship:
This will come in handy as something to talk about at interviews or as a guide on what to improve on in future internships or jobs. Make a note of everyone’s name and contact details, too.
Learn the lingo:
Particularly in print, there are certain terms that will come up. Things like lead (your ‘standard’ news story), a nib (‘news in brief’ – very short stories normally under 100 words), a splash (front page story), or a scoop (an important story published nowhere else yet).
Online you’ll also have other terms to think about when writing, such as SEO (search engine optimisation – writing your story and headline in a way that it will come up in the top suggestions in search machines). If you ever hear someone say something you’re not sure of, ask! Never assume you know the definition of an unknown term.
Every publication will also have a certain in-house style. You can get a good glimpse of it by reading the title you’ll be working for. Some will have this codified (in a style guide, like ours), so it is also something you can ask for at the start of your internship.
Make notes of consent given by sources to be recorded/quoted:
This is common practice in journalism, and something that you should be doing throughout your career. Ask them again when you press record to have them confirm verbally, or in writing – particularly if the story is sensitive, it is something you need to be sure of before filing.
Never sit on things:
If you find a story – or a fragment that you think could make a story – don’t hold off. Start researching, or – if you are unsure – send it to a colleague or your editor and they can help you judge. Similarly, if you find yourself struggling or facing a bit of a roadblock while working on a piece, don’t sit back and hope for it to resolve itself. Try and think outside the box to solve it. Consider another source if someone you were hoping to speak to is unresponsive, for example. Again, colleagues are always a great asset here, too. Ask people you work with for help, the news cycle moves too fast for that.
Outfits may need tweaking depending on location:
While it may be acceptable to be in a newsroom in shorts in the summer (always check!), it may not be the best choice when reporting from a courtroom. Always check before you go on assignment what the dress code is. And when in doubt, do a bit more formal than you think it is going to be.
Pitch your ideas:
Don’t feel intimidated just because you are an intern. If you have an idea for a story, it can just as much end up being a vital scoop as everyone else’s. The worst answer you can get is no – even then you just go again. The thing is that all journalists will be doing the same. Even people that have been there a while will be sending ideas and, sometimes, have them rejected. However, showing that you can come up with stories, will make people think highly of you during your internship.
Quotes and sources links:
It may seem obvious to some but it’s generally preferable to link your sources directly from your piece. This will help your editor subedit your work and help should there be a question about facts or quotes in your piece. They may not be used in the final format – especially if that’s print! – but it will be appreciated and demonstrates your thoroughness.
Respect (and make use of) your colleagues’ expertise:
You’ll be working with a vast array of people who will all have different work and life experiences. Respect someone’s expertise – if there is a journalist that often writes housing stories, for example, ask them for their input if you have an idea for a story in that area. If you ever find yourself working on a story and see someone has a good contact, it is also good to speak with your colleagues. Likely they will appreciate you reaching out to them and often be happy to help.
Stay organised:
Make sure you are following security processes laid out to you at the start of the internship to secure all your work. Other than that, it is good to stay organised with your stationary etc. Nothing is worse than getting asked to write up a story and then realising you left that notepad at home or forgot to chase that lead! To keep on top of notes, some people leave their things locked up at work or keep a digital copy of everything. For tasks many use reminders and calendars. Find a system that works best for you and stick to it! Each newsroom will also have their own way of tracking stories that are in progress – from “Maybe” and “Commissioned” stories to “Shared”, on social media/newsletter. You will need to keep on top of that too, whether it’s a Trello board, an Excel spreadsheet or a physical board. Always update your section before the news meeting – 30 minutes before is best to give your editor time to check it through ahead of the meeting.
Take initiative:
This comes in different ways but will always be well received. If someone is working on a big story, offer if you can help make calls, research, or fact-check. This will show initiative and you will be able to be part of bigger projects and learn from colleagues covering these stories. If you see anything that needs done in the newsroom, offer to do it. Maybe there are things they aren’t doing yet in which you have expertise, but even things like answering the phone can make you stand in a good light. Picking up the phone might seem miniscule, but it shows you are happy to be part of the team and can actually also lead to you getting stories.
Use your strengths to make yourself stand out:
If you are a TikTok wiz, for example, and notice that your newsroom has little or no presence on the platform, offer up your expertise! This will not only show initiative (see point above), but might even lead to bigger opportunities. Use your strengths to get yourself noticed!
Voice your needs:
You may need something called “reasonable adjustments” to ensure you’re not at a disadvantage compared to your peers who are not disabled. It could be adjusting the time for a meeting or an event, asking to work from home more often, offering written instructions. Organisations have a duty to plan in advance to meet the access needs of disabled people.
Work smart and hard:
Working hard is something that will always be rewarded in the newsroom, as you’ll be showing initiative and your passion for the job. But there are definitely tools you can use to make your life (and workload) easier. Be that AI transcription software like Otter.ai, which auto transcribes recordings; programmes like oTranscribe where you can upload the file you want to transcribe and add timestamps, rewind, and fast forward, all from one window and through easy commands; using TweetDeck to view certain hashtags or keywords to follow to find stories; or creating templates for social media content to go with your pieces on Canva. There are so many great tools to choose from!
You will have to sometimes do things out of your comfort zone – don’t be afraid, but do also set boundaries:
Be it vox pops (something often detested but regularly given to those starting out in the newsroom), filing what you deem a ‘boring’ press release, standing in the pouring rain to get a source or take images of a scene, or having to call/ ask someone for an interview that maybe doesn’t want to be interviewed. You will sometimes find yourself having to do things that seem scary. When it comes to doing these things, approach them open-mindedly and give it your best go (after nailing your first vox-pop you will quickly feel like they are half as bad as anticipated!).
However, it is also important that if you are uncomfortable with something to voice this with your editor, particularly when it comes to sensitive situations or when you feel unsafe. Boundaries are just as important!
Zone into the news cycle:
Always keep track of what is happening in the world, the UK, your patch. There are so many ways to get updates these days away from reading a paper back to front or having TV and/ or radio on 24/7 (although all are great mediums!): alerts on your phone, social media hashtags, podcasts, newsletters. Find a way that works for you to always stay up to date.
Credit: Brett Jordan on Unsplash